I'm in the same boat as you. My waist has been up to 45". It's 44" this morning. I pretty much did GOMAD for several months even though I'm not in the demographic for that. The result is where I am today, my fault. As someone pointed out some of the waist size increase can be attributed to muscle mass. Not just Abbs but your back as well. I cut calories really low and it seemed like it was going ok but it was short lived. Now, I'm trying to just keep my protein near 1g per lb of body weight, cut all dairy except cottage cheese and cream in my coffee, cut alcohol (tear), and not worry too much about the calories. I just started this so I can't recommend it.

I think you would do well to read this article by Rippetoe: A Clarification. Melody is quite right... here's a quote from the article:

On the other hand, if you’re a little fluffy around the belly, you have obviously already created the conditions necessary for growth. You’ll start out stronger than the skinny guy, and strength gains have the potential to come easier for you if you eat correctly because your body hasn’t got the problems with growing that skinny guys do. You still eat a lot, but you don’t drink the milk and you cut your carb intake if you don’t see bodyfat levels drop during these first couple of weeks.

great info

Thanks patrick for that link...great read and explained a lot. I will definitely cut back on the carbs and go for a more paleo (a la mark sisson) type diet. On a positive note I looked at the serving size info on my jar of nuts and figured out that I am not doing 3 cups a day....more like 1/2 - 3/4 of a cup.

reduce fat, in this case nuts, and replace them with clean carbs for the morning and pwo meals. The carbs will have less calories (rice and baked potato) than fats, will burn off quicker, and will give you energy. Dont over do it and youll be fine. Keep protein high of course.